Nazareth bar workers beaten for refusing to sell 6-pack, police say

Not allowed to buy a six-pack of beer early Sunday, a Nazareth couple became enraged, punching two employees of the borough's American Hotel, one of whom was at least temporarily blinded.

Brian J. Petix, 31, and Casey Ann Hoffman, 22, were charged with assault and related offenses after the 2:30 a.m. melee at the 201 S. Main St. tavern.

Petix and Hoffman tried to purchase the six-pack after the bar had closed, and when they were refused they damaged the bar and waited outside to attack employees, police said.

Petix beat up Mark Peterson, punching him repeatedly in the face, according to the police arrest affidavit.

In the affidavit, Nazareth Patrolman Daniel Troxell says that, a day later, Peterson had "black and blue eyes and had received stitches to both sides of his face and severe swelling to his head and face."

"Mark [Peterson] further stated that he went to the hospital and has lost vision in his left eye that was filled with blood and was severely swollen," the affidavit says.

Hoffman punched Kelly Peterson, Mark Peterson's daughter, as she left the tavern "and then whipped her with a metal studded belt numerous times causing injuries to her arms," police said.

Petix and Hoffman were charged with simple assault, burglary, harassment, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. Petix also was charged with aggravated assault.